Body Glove Performer 11’ iSUP

The Performer 11' is a top-selling iSUP and Body Glove has been careful not to mess with it too much since you shouldn't fix something that ain’t broke. You can think of his new 2020 version of the Performer 11' as more of an evolution rather than a revolution since the overall dimensions and characteristics remain the same.

For Spring 2020 the Performer has newly designed fins with each of the three having 30% more surface area for improved tracking which means those new to stand up paddleboarding will have an easier time paddling straighter. 

The construction of the Performer 11' has also changed with new triple-layered side rails and upgraded carbon-reinforced stringers being added to improve upon stability without adding any additional weight. The performer 11’ iSUP is also now only 13.7cm or 5.4” thick versus its previous depth of 6” which makes for a lighter board overall without sacrificing stability. 

And of course, how can anyone not notice the Performer 11’s new wood grain graphic treatment. This fresh new design is very appealing and even extends to the paddle with the blade utilizing this wood grain design as well.

Body Glove has also given the included backpack a new look with brighter colours and improvements to the durability and construction. All of the included items easily fit inside the pack along with the iSUP and three-piece adjustable paddle.

The Performer 11’ 2020 iSUP is made from puncture-resistant, heavy-duty PVC and can support over 145 kg/320 lb of weight so you can easily take along a cooler, the dog or even your favourite child. 

EVA foam is used for the traction deck pad and runs half the length of the board from the tail to just past the midpoint. This provides a soft yet grippy platform and if you decide to run some rivers the built-in tail kick helps you leverage the board and find the back end position quickly.

Up front the built-in bungee tie-downs are designed for securing gear like a dry bag, for larger items like a cooler you can use the bungee as tie-down points

• Triple Layer Stringer Construction.
• Triple Dura-Fin Design.
• Cargo bungees up front to secure your gear.
• Diamond-groove traction pad so you stay upright.
• Soft carry handle that can also secure a water bottle or paddle.
• Built-in nose bumper to limit underside abrasions. 

• Lightweight 3-piece adjustable travel paddle (178-216 cm/70-85")
• High-pressure, dual-action hand pump with built-in gauge 
• 11' ankle coil leash
• Cell-phone dry bag
• Carry-all backpack
• Repair kit

What’s not to like about the new Performer 11’ iSUP from Body Glove—like the previous model, this upgraded version uses the same great all-round shape with ideal dimensions for both beginners and intermediates.

I found this new and improved Performer 11' iSUP to be very stable and efficient to paddle through flat water but thanks to the rockered nose it was also fun to surf on river waves and holes. The redesigned fins with their increased surface area made a noticeable difference in how easy the Performer 11’ tracks with little correction required.

This new Performer also gets full marks for how light yet capable it is at carrying weight. Being 180lbs left me with the option of loading it up with an additional 140lbs of cargo, people or pets. This makes it easy to get away for a weekend of camping where paddling all the gear and food into the campsite is the only option.

It's also nice to see that Body Glove made some structural improvements in the construction of this new version of the Performer. This further enhances its stability making it more fun in moving water and easier to paddle for those that are beginners.

All the extras that are included with the Body Glove Performer 11’ iSUP provide great overall value. You’ll find everything you need in the box to get out on the water immediately. While the price increased by $100 with all these new improvements, there are still some good deals to be had if you do your homework and search online for the best price.

Trying to find the weak spot with this iSUP is challenging given what you get and for your money. If I had to be picky I’d say that the paddle could still be improved upon but I typically use a carbon paddle which runs $200-$300 alone so it’s no wonder I notice the difference when using the included paddle. 

Overall the Body Glove Performer 11’ provides great value in a crowd-pleasing iSUP with a versatile shape that is almost as appealing as the new graphics are.